Ares | By Graham Warwick | 29 December 2009
Pakistan Inducts First AEW&C

The Pakistan air force formally inducted its first Saab 2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft today (Dec. 29) at Kamra airbase. The first of four on order under Project Horizon, the aircraft arrived in country on Dec. 8. The remaining three will be delivered in 2010. The modified regional airliners are fitted with the Erieye phased-array radar.

According to press reports from the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said Pakistan is negotiating with China for four more AEW&C aircraft to be delivered in 2011, likely Il-76-based KJ-2000s, as well as J-10 multirole fighters. The air force took delivery of its first locally assembled JF-17 lightweight fighter on Nov. 23, with the first squadron to be operational by June. Eighteen new F-16C/Ds are to be delivered in July, he said. Pakistan also received the first two of four Il-78 tanker/transports from Ukraine on Dec. 2.

Photographs: Pakistan Air Force
Source: Ares